Reasons for Designation
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.
Details
This moated site lies to the north west of Slipton Lodge and is now considered
to be the site of the medieval park keeper's lodge, although it was previously
thought to have been the site of a nunnery.
The moat area is of trapezoidal shape, with an east ditch approximately 85m
long, a west ditch of 47m, and north and south ditches about 120m in length.
The ditches are up to 2.5m deep and 7m in width, and on the north ditch an
outer bank 0.5m high and an inner bank 1m high can be seen. The moat lies just
within a deer park, and around the west and south sides of the moat runs the
remains of the bank of the deer park pale about 3m wide and 1m high. On the
east side of the moat are the remains of a pond, and a water channel runs
eastwards from both pond and moat ditches. At present the moat ditches are dry
but have been waterlogged in the recent past.
The moat island contains slightly raised rectangular areas, suggesting the
location of former buildings. There is no clear causeway or position of a
bridge for access to the island, although remains of exposed stonework on the
south east corner of the island may be indication of an access point.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13627
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
